Self-contained amusement ride

ABSTRACT

An amusement ride is provided which is self-contained. All of the components and elements of the ride are mounted on or are a part of a single trailer. The trailer can be readily towed to a given location and the ride readied for operation by one operator in a matter of a few minutes. As such, the ride is particularly adaptable for smaller fairs and carnivals of short duration. Further, the one-man operation results in substantial labor savings, such costs otherwise rendering many rides unprofitable. The trailer is complete with a loading and unloading platform and entrance and exit ramps adjacent an operator&#39;&#39;s station.

United States Patent Bishop 1 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] SELF-CONTAINED AMUSEMENTRIDE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Richard W. Bishop,4563 Lewis Ave., 838,961 6/1960 Great Britain ..272/29 Toledo, Ohio43612 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle [22] filed: 1971 AssistantExaminer-Amold W. Kramer [21] APP] NOJ 112,707 Attorney-Allen D.Gutchess, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..272/29, 272/37, 272/51 An amusement ride isprovided which is self comained A" of [51] hit. Cl ..A63g1/08 thecomponents and elements of the ride are mounted on or [58] Field ofSearch ..272/29, 37, 39, 51, 33 R are a part f Single trailer. Thetrailer can be readily towed to a given location and the ride readiedfor operation by one [56] References Cited operator in a matter of a fewminutes. As such, the ride is particularly adaptable for smaller fairsand carnivals of short du- UNITED STATES PATENTS ration. Further, theone-man operation results in substantial labor savings, such costsotherwise rendering many rides unla "272/29 UX profitable. The traileris complete with a loading and unloadomas ing platform and entrance andexit ramps adjacent an opera- 3,140,092 7/1964 Hr ubetz tops Station3,459,422 8/1969 Wmton 3,552,747 1/1971 Deem ..272/29 10 Claims, 4Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 4 1972 8,658,657

SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

INVENTOR. Qx CHARD \A. B \SHOP A'rrORNEU law SELF-CONTAINED AMUSEMENTRIDE I This invention relates to an amusement deviceand moreparticularly to an amusement ride which is self-contained on a vehicle.

Amusement rides which are temporarily stationed at carnivals and fairsare transported on vehicles from one site to another. Insome instances,most of the components of the ride are carried on a single vehicle butthe vehicle forms only a partial support, if any, for the overall ride.Even these rides require considerable amount of time and labor to be setup for operation after reaching the site.

The present invention provides a self-contained amusement ride in whichall components and elements thereof are mounted on one vehicle which canbe set up for operation by one operator in a matter of a few minutes.The ride is particularly adaptable for smaller fairs and carnivals,especially those of short duration, such as one or a few days. The newamusement ride is all part of a single trailer, including a rotatablearm mounted on the trailer with rider receptacles on the ends of the armand with the drive engine, and even a fuel tank for the engine, allmounted on the trailer. The trailer is supported on rear wheels and thefront is supported directly on the ground to place the trailer frame atasubstantial angle to the ground and enhance the thrill of the ride.

The trailer frame even forms a loading and unloading platform at theforward end, above which platform is positioned the rider receptacleswhen they are to be loaded or unloaded.

An entrance ramp is also located on the trailer at one side of theloading and unloading platform and an exit ramp is located on the otherside of the loading and .unloading platform, so that even these elementsof the ride are contained on the trailer. Further, an operator's stationis located in front of the loading and unloading platform to enable theoperator to control operation of the ride, position the riderreceptacles for loading and unloading, direct riders out of thereceptacles as well as into them, and take tickets, all from onelocation.

The operator can also be the one who drives the tractor which tows thetrailer to the fair or carnival site. He can disconnect the trailer,lower the front e'nd'to the ground, and ready the ride for operation ina matter of about 10 minutes. Hence, time and labor are held to aminimum, rendering even a one-night stand practical.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide aself-contained amusement ride.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement ride whichcan be set up in a short time by one man.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a self-containedamusement ride carrying its own loading and unloading platform, and exitand entrance ramps.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a self-containedamusement ride having an operator's station located adjacent a loadingand unloading platform with adjacent entrance and exit ramps whereby oneoperator can operate the ride and control loading, unloading, and tickettaking.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic, overall view in perspective of aself-contained amusement'ride according to the invention, connected to atowing vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic, overall view in perspective of theamusement ride of FIG. 1, in an operating position;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic,.fragmentary plan view of a forwardportion of the amusement ride of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective .of a rider-carryingreceptacle used with the amusement ride. Referring to the drawings, andparticularly to FIG. 1, a trailer or towed vehicle embodying anamusement ride according to the invention is indicated at 10 and ismoved from location to location by a towing vehicle, specifically shownas a tractor 12 of any suitable design.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the trailer 10 includes a frame 14 comprisingtwo main structural members l6 and 18. These extend between and under arear deck or base 20 and a forward deck or base 22, which constitutespart of the frame. When the trailer is ready for operation, it issupported at several positions on the ground to maintain stability andfirmness. These include rear dual tires 24'and 26, stabilizers 28, jackmembers 30, and a front transverse frame member 32. The stabilizers 28are at an angle to the plane of the frame 14 so as to be substantiallyvertically disposed relative to the ground or other supporting surfacewhen the trailer is in operating position. The stabilizers 28 includetubular supports 34 attached to the frame 14 and threaded rods 36extending therethrough and terminating in feet 38. Cranks 40 at theupper ends enable the feet to be turned up and down relative to thetubular supports and the frame. The jack members 30 are of commonconstruction and will not be discussed in detail. Neither willretractable wheels 42 located forwardly of the jack members 30 andconstituting common elements of most trailers of this type.

A cross member 44 extends between central portions of the frame members16 and I8 and has a heavy-duty thrust bearing 46. The bearing 46, inturn, carries a rotatable, rider-carrying assembly indicated at 48 on amounting member 50. A central housing 52 is located on the member 50 andhas tubular arms 54 and 56 extending outwardly therefrom in a planegenerally parallel tothe frame 14. The arms 54 and 56 are shorter thanthe length of the-trailer frame 14 so that they can be positionedlongitudinally with respect to the longitudinal extent of the frame 14when the ride is being-transported. In such an instance, the arms areheld in that position by uprights 58 and 60 (FIG. 1) located in sockets62 and 64 on the frame members 16 and 18 and connected by suitable barsor rods 66 and 68. The uprights 58 and 60 are readily disconnected fromthe bars 66 and 68 and removed from the sockets 62 and 64 when the rideis at the desired location.

' In the specific form of the rider-carrying assembly 48 shown, a pairof rider-carrying receptacles70 and 72 are rotatably mounted on crossmembers 74 and 76 at the end portions of the arms 54 and 56 by bearings78 and 80. As the arms 54 and 56 are rotated, the receptacles 70 and72'are thereby free to rotateabout their own axes on the bearings 78 and80. I

The assembly 48 is driven by a shaft (not shown) which extendsdownwardly through the bearing46 into a heavy-duty gear reducer 82suspended below the frame members 16 and 18 by suitable supports. Aninternal combustion engine 84 is also supported below the frame members=l6and l8 and has an output shaft 86 connected to and mechanicallyengaged with the gear reducer 82. A fuel tank (not shown) mounted behindthe rear wheels 24 and 26 supplies fuelfor the engine 84, making theentire drive self-contained on the trailer 10. Of course, otherrider-carrying assemblies can 'be employed as long astheir maximumdimensions do not appreciably exceed the dimensions of the length andwidth of the trailer 10, when in a towing position.

Referring particularly to 'FIG. 4, the rider-carrying receptacle 70 willbe discussed, thisreceptacle being identical to the receptacle 72. Thereceptacle 70 includes a shell 88 of fabricated sheet metal forming afloor 90, side walls 92 and 94, a back wall 96 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and afront wall 98 having I a loading and unloading opening 100. The sidewalls 92 and '94 also form backs for seats 102 .which extend completelybetween the back wall 96 and the front wall 98. With this design, eachof the receptacles 70 and 72 can comfortably accommodate eight riders orpatrons, four on each of the seats 102, so that the ride has asubstantial capacity even though it embodies only two rider-carryingreceptacles.

A door 104 is located at the loading and unloading opening and includesa vertical hinge member or rod 106 at a hinge side thereof and a latchor pin member 108 spaced therefrom at the opposite side of the door. Atubular member 1 10 is afiixed to the receptacle 70 near one side of theopening 100 and receives the hinge rod 106 which extends therethrough,the door 104 then being supported by a stop collar 112 which engages theupper end of the tubular member 110. A resilient member or coil spring114 located around the hinge rod 106 below the tubular member 110 is incompression between the lower end of the tubular member 110 and a lowerstop collar 116. The spring 114 thereby urges the door 104 downwardlywith the stop 112 engaging the upper end of the tubular member 110. Inthis position, the latch or pin member 108 also can be received in alatch tubular member 118 on the opposite side of the opening 100, beingcontinually urged into the member through the action of the spring 114.This arrangement enables the door to be securely shut while the ride isin motion, but it can be easily opened by an operator by simply liftingup on it to overcome the force of the spring 114, and then pivoting thedoor outwardly.

The self-contained ride also includes a loading and unloading platform,an entrance ramp, an exit ramp, and an operators station. The latter islocated adjacent the platform and ramps so that the operator can aid inunloading and loading the receptacle, take tickets, and control themovement or operation of the ride assembly. Accordingly, and referringalso to FIG. 3, the forward base 22 has a raised, central loading andunloading platform 120 located centrally of the base 22 and positionedso as to be under the loading and unloading opening 100 of thereceptacles 70 and 72 when the arms 54 and 56 are extendinglongitudinally of the trailer frame 14.

At this time, the operator can push the receptacle about its own axis,if needed, so that the opening 100 is above the platform 120. An exitramp 122 is located to one side of the platform 120 and extends from theplatform to the forward edge of the trailer frame, above the transversesupport 32. Similarly, an entrance ramp 124 is located on the oppositeside of the platform 120 and extends from the platform to the forwardedge of the trailer frame. The forward edges of the ramps 122 and 124are located just above the ground and provide easy access for the ridersentering and exiting the ride. Suitable railings 126 and 128 are alsolocated at the outer edges of the ramps for safety and also to directthe riders in the proper directions.

An operators station 130 is also formed on the forward base 22. Thisstation is located between the exit and entrance ramps 122 and 124 andis located on the side of the platform 120 outside the circular path ofmovement of the receptacles 70 and 72. With this arrangement,substantially from one location, one operator can position thereceptacle 70 or 72 with the opening 100 above the platform 120 when theride is finished, open the door 104 by moving it upwardly to release thelatch pin 108 from the tubular member 118, and direct the riders to theexit ramp 122. He can then take tickets from the riders moving up theentrance ramp 124, direct them into the receptacle 70 or 72, see thatthey are properly seated, and close the door 104 by moving it upwardlyand aligning the latch pin 108 with the tubular member 118. He can thenoperate the ride from the station 130. The station 130 includes sidewalls 132 and 134 and a rail 136 to keep riders away from the controls.Any suitable controls can be used; as shown, they include a throttlelever 138 and a brake pedal 140 which are substantially the only onesneeded for the engine 84.

From the above, it will be seen that the self-contained ride includessubstantially all the components needed for a complete ride. Although aticket booth is not included, it is possible under some instances forthe operator to also sell tickets for the ride, although more commonly,a single ticket booth is set up at a central point for several rides.Further, with the entrance and exit ramps, the feet of the riders willbe cleaner prior to entering the receptacles 70 and 72, thereby reducingthe need for cleaning the receptacles. Also, the ride can be set up in alocation which would be unsuitable for some other rides because of softor muddy ground conditions.

Various modifications of the above described embodiment,

of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it isto be understood that such modifications can be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention, if they are within the spirit and thetenor of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A self-contained amusement ride comprising a trailer including anelongate frame, means to support said trailer on a supporting surfacewith a forward end of said frame at a level substantially lower than therear end of said frame, an arm having a length shorter than the lengthof said frame, means rotatably supporting a central portion of said armon a central portion of said frame, means for rotating said arm,receptacles on end portions of said arm, a loading and unloadingplatform at the forward end of said frame and positioned centrallythereof to be under loading and unloading openings of said receptacleswhen the receptacles are to be unloaded and loaded, an exit ramp on saidtrailer frame extending from one side of said loading and unloadingplatform toward a forward edge portion of said frame, and an entranceramp on said trailer frame at the opposite side of said loading andunloading platform and extending toward the forward edge portion of saidframe.

2. An amusement ride according to claim 1 characterized further by anoperators station and controls at the forward end of said frame adjacentsaid loading and unloading platform.

3. An amusement ride according to claim 1 characterized further by meanspivotally mounting said receptacles on the end portions of said arms.

4. An amusement ride according to claim 1 characterized by positioningmeans holding said arm parallel to said frame when said trailer is beingtowed.

5. An amusement ride according to claim 1 characterized further bystabilizer means mounted on said frame intermediate the forward and rearends for engaging the supporting surface to help maintain said trailerin a fixed position when the ride is in operation.

6. An amusement ride according to claim 1 characterized by a door foreach of said receptacles having a vertical hinge member rotatably andslidably received in a tubular member affixed to said receptacle nearone side of the opening, a spring on said hinge member urging said hingemember into said tubular member, said door having a pin member spacedfrom said hinge member, and a second tubular member affixed to saidreceptacle on the opposite side of the opening for receiving said pinmember when the door is closed.

7. A self-contained amusement ride comprising a trailer including anelongate frame, rear wheels rotatably supported beneath said frame,means at a forward end of said frame to support said forward end on asupporting surface at a level substantially lower than the rear end ofsaid frame, rider-car rying means movably mounted on said frame, meanssupported by said frame for moving said rider-carrying means, a centraloperators station on said frame at a forward central portion thereof andlocated forwardly of the path of said ridercarrying means, an exit rampon said frame extending along one side of said operators station towardthe forward end of said frame, and an entrance ramp on said frameextending along the opposite side of said operators station toward theforward end of said frame.

8. An amusement ride according to claim 7 characterized by a loading andunloading platform on said frame between said operators station and thepath of the rider-carrying means and also located between said entranceand exit ramps.

9. An amusement ride according to claim 7 characterized by saidrider-carrying means comprises an arm rotatably mounted on said frameand a pair of rider receptacles on end portions of said arm.

10. An amusement ride according to claim 9 characterized further by eachof said receptacles having a loading and unloading opening, and a doorfor said opening, said door having a vertical hinge member rotatably andslidably received in a tubular member affixed to said receptacle nearone side of the opening, a coil spring on said hinge member urging saidhinge member into said tubular member, said door having a pin memberalong the opposite edge thereof, and a second tubular member affixed tosaid receptacle on the opposite side of the opening for receiving saidpin member when the door is closed.

1. A self-contained amusement ride comprising a trailer including anelongate frame, means to support said trailer on a supporting surfacewith a forward end of said frame at a level substantially lower than therear end of said frame, an arm having a length shorter than the lengthof said frame, means rotatably supporting a central portion of said armon a central portion of said frame, means for rotating said arm,receptacles on end portions of said arm, a loading and unloadingplatform at the forward end of said frame and positioned centrallythereof to be under loading and unloading openings of said receptacleswhen the receptacles are to be unloaded and loaded, an exit ramp on saidtrailer frame extending from one side of said loading and unloadingplatform toward a forward edge portion of said frame, and an entranceramp on said trailer frame at the opposite side of said loading andunloading platform and extending toward the forward edge portion of saidframe.
 2. An amusement ride according to claim 1 characterized furtherby an operator''s station and controls at the forward end of said frameadjacent said loading and unloading platform.
 3. An amusement rideaccording to claim 1 characterized further by means pivotally mountingsaid receptacles on the end portions of said arms.
 4. An amusement rideaccording to claim 1 characterized by positioning means holding said armparallel to said frame when said trailer is being towed.
 5. An amusementride according to claim 1 characterized further by stabilizer meansmounted on said frame intermediate the forward and rear ends forengaging the supporting surface to help maintain said trailer in a fixedposition when the ride is in operation.
 6. An amusement ride accordingto claim 1 characterized by a door for each of said receptacles having avertical hinge member rotatably and slidably received in a tubularmember affixed to said receptacle near one side of the opening, a springon said hinGe member urging said hinge member into said tubular member,said door having a pin member spaced from said hinge member, and asecond tubular member affixed to said receptacle on the opposite side ofthe opening for receiving said pin member when the door is closed.
 7. Aself-contained amusement ride comprising a trailer including an elongateframe, rear wheels rotatably supported beneath said frame, means at aforward end of said frame to support said forward end on a supportingsurface at a level substantially lower than the rear end of said frame,rider-carrying means movably mounted on said frame, means supported bysaid frame for moving said rider-carrying means, a central operator''sstation on said frame at a forward central portion thereof and locatedforwardly of the path of said rider-carrying means, an exit ramp on saidframe extending along one side of said operator''s station toward theforward end of said frame, and an entrance ramp on said frame extendingalong the opposite side of said operator''s station toward the forwardend of said frame.
 8. An amusement ride according to claim 7characterized by a loading and unloading platform on said frame betweensaid operator''s station and the path of the rider-carrying means andalso located between said entrance and exit ramps.
 9. An amusement rideaccording to claim 7 characterized by said rider-carrying meanscomprises an arm rotatably mounted on said frame and a pair of riderreceptacles on end portions of said arm.
 10. An amusement ride accordingto claim 9 characterized further by each of said receptacles having aloading and unloading opening, and a door for said opening, said doorhaving a vertical hinge member rotatably and slidably received in atubular member affixed to said receptacle near one side of the opening,a coil spring on said hinge member urging said hinge member into saidtubular member, said door having a pin member along the opposite edgethereof, and a second tubular member affixed to said receptacle on theopposite side of the opening for receiving said pin member when the dooris closed.